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Anyone use MUCH later seats?


Hodgepodge

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I'm still trying to figure out what to do with seats in my 2002.  The existing seats are OK, but the leavers are broken, the pads are gone and the springs are a little soft.  Yes, I can rebuild them at a moderate cost, but........

 

I keep seeing articles about Recaro Seats and older seats and the now-broken article about seat alternatives but I'm curious.  Has anyone installed any later seats. like from an E36/E92/93 in to their E10?  There are a lot of electric options on these seats that might be useless, but I don't think it would take much to hook up the side bolster and lumbar bladders.  The seats in my E93s are amonth the most comfortable I've had in a 3 series and the comfort seats in my E62 are really wonderful.   Has anyone tried to install them in an E10?   Other than that they are electric, is there a good reason why they wouldn't work?  

 

Well.....  My E93 seat rails are 16.5 inches on center and my 2002 seat rails are 17.5 inches on center, so a plate would be needed.  My E61 isn't here at the moment but I will measure those seats when I get a chance.   

 

I see really nice E60 comfort seats (possibly the best BMW seats ever) for less money than it would cost just to recover (not rebuild or stuff) my E10 seats.  

 

Your thoughts?   

 

 

Current: '74 2002,75 2002, 88 E28 M5(2), 92 E34 M5, 02 E39 M5, 01 E39T M5, 08 E93 328i, 08 E61 535i, 09 E93 335i, 09 E91 328ix, 12 E70 3.5i  '67 Alfa Romeo Spider; '69 Alfa Romeo Spider, '08 Dodge 1500 SLT. Past BMWs: '74 2002tii, '74 2002, '76 E12 530i, '78 E12 528i, '85 E28 535is, '93 E34 528iT, '94 E34 528i, '99 E36 328ic (2) '99 E39 528iT, '03 E46 330i convt., '07 E90 328i

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Measure the thickness of the seat base, most of the new cars have mounts in the car that are much lower because the seat base is very thick.  The other issue is the seat rails on an 02 are not centered on the steering wheel.  Notice how the side of the seat nearest to the transmission tunnel is shaped to fit around the tunnel compared to the other side.  Some seats cant' be mounted far enough inboard in the car because of the tunnel to get you even close to centered behind the steering wheel, and the lower you want to mount the seat, for headroom, makes it even worse. 

1970 1602 (purchased 12/1974)

1974 2002 Turbo

1988 M5

1986 Euro 325iC

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pretty much all of the newer seats have been put in a 2002.  just depends on how much cutting and metal work you want to do and how much head room you need. none of them are bolt in.  try some searches...there are threads about them.

 

and how heavy you want to make your car.  all those newer seats with the electric gizmos are gawd awful heavy.  think the power seats in my E36 were about 80 lbs each....

Edited by mlytle

2xM3

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Thanks for the insight. The offset seat thing is probably the surprise answer I wasn't expecting.  As for seat height, I sit much lower in an E93 than I do in an E10, but my daughter jacks it up to touch the roof, so there is probably some subjective height adjustment there.  Totally get the weight thing.   I've taken the seats out of my E61 before and they are not quite as hefty as the ones that were in my E36, but you are right about them being heavy compared to the E10 seats.   Maybe I'll pull some seats and experiiment!  :-)  

 

Eh, I don't think I'll be doing any racing or driving across the country in this car, so the stock seats are probably fine....just a little more expensive to make right.  I'll come up with something that works    

 

Thanks,

 

Scott

 

Current: '74 2002,75 2002, 88 E28 M5(2), 92 E34 M5, 02 E39 M5, 01 E39T M5, 08 E93 328i, 08 E61 535i, 09 E93 335i, 09 E91 328ix, 12 E70 3.5i  '67 Alfa Romeo Spider; '69 Alfa Romeo Spider, '08 Dodge 1500 SLT. Past BMWs: '74 2002tii, '74 2002, '76 E12 530i, '78 E12 528i, '85 E28 535is, '93 E34 528iT, '94 E34 528i, '99 E36 328ic (2) '99 E39 528iT, '03 E46 330i convt., '07 E90 328i

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Scott, if you are looking to maximize value, spend a chunk on some period scheels or recaros.  If you don't want to gain or lose value redo the stock seats (with original-style patterns).  If you want to lose value, install a later seat.

 

Also, just a friendly pinch of advice, the nomenclature "e10" is only a recent phenomenon.  It's a bit of a way to spot the new fellow.  Fine for here, but maybe avoid it when you go to sell the car.

Edited by AceAndrew
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Hi Andrew, 

 

Very good point about value.  I am about 99% certain I am just going to re-do the stock, original seats (which are increasingly rare in 2002s these days). But they need a complete rebuild.  At the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix this summer, it seemed like nearly every one of the 40 or so 2002s there had different seats in it.  There is a line someplace between practical mod and resto-mod and I do not want to cross that line. 

 

The whole E10 thing is kind of funny to me, but I get your point.  I've owned a dozen different BMW models, starting with a '74 2002ii (long, long ago) and a '76 530i (E12) and started referring to them by body style code to order parts, what, about 20 years ago?  I do see that most reference lists use the E (and F) codes to define the more common 3,5,7,x numbering schemes for body types and some don't list a code for the 2002.  But the 2800/2.8/3.0 coupes are commonly called E9 (even though they came out after the 2002, I think), the 2002 Touring is sometimes called the E6 and the '74-76 turbo is sometimes called an E20. Clearly, there were some sequence issues....

 

And of course, the M10 engine lived on for decades.  The only way I know of to define it is....M10.   

 

So I'm curious, and I'm truly not trying to offend anyone (just saw some of your other posts out there on this, Andrew).   Although it may be a "newer" definition, is it a "newbie" definition, or is it just a good way to define the body style with the proliferation of body types and models?   Or perhaps more succinctly, what should we call the body that makes up the 1602, 1802, 2002, 2002tii (but apparently not the square-headlight Lux....)                

 

Personally, I think it makes sense to use the model number when referring to the body/engine combination (I have a 2002, a 328i, a 335i; and a 535ix touring/wagon). I use the the body number when referring strictly to body styles or features (E10, E36, E46, E39, E61, E93).  I use the engine number M10, N54, S52, when referring to engines.  

 

Anyone care to comment? 

 

Thanks,

 

Scott

 

       

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Current: '74 2002,75 2002, 88 E28 M5(2), 92 E34 M5, 02 E39 M5, 01 E39T M5, 08 E93 328i, 08 E61 535i, 09 E93 335i, 09 E91 328ix, 12 E70 3.5i  '67 Alfa Romeo Spider; '69 Alfa Romeo Spider, '08 Dodge 1500 SLT. Past BMWs: '74 2002tii, '74 2002, '76 E12 530i, '78 E12 528i, '85 E28 535is, '93 E34 528iT, '94 E34 528i, '99 E36 328ic (2) '99 E39 528iT, '03 E46 330i convt., '07 E90 328i

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While there is "only one" 2002 (except at the dealerships where they think that is a year vs. model) to me, I refer to E- or F-series codes for E12s & later, to avoid confusion as the 3-, 5-, 6-, and 7-series cars are continued.  I've never owned a touring, cabrio, or targa (yet!).

There are a number of threads here regarding E10 vs. Type 114, etc.  I don't believe it's a big deal, really.  We've also seen "2002 base model" used rather recently to differentiate from the tii.  Anyone here at this forum is obviously a fan!

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John in VA

'74 tii "Juanita"  '85 535i "Goldie"  '86 535i "M-POSSTR"  

'03 530i "Titan"  '06 330ci "ZHPY"

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I think one of the nicest seating upgrades for the 2002 is to get the Recaros out of an early '80's 320is.  They easily fit in the car and are quite comfortable.  I had a set that I sold when I got some Recaro SRDs for my car.  The latter are definitely NOT a bolt-in, so I can't recommend them like I do the e21 Recaros.

Edited by Ian

Ian
'76 M2

'02 325iT

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Hey Scott. If you wish to keep the original seats, I am sure there are quite a few for sale (As others switch to Recaros). Hopefully someone close to you, because of course they would be a PITA to ship anywhere. 

 

You can also post on the parts wanted forum.

 

Again thanks for the offer on the Carpet. My guy pulled a nice one out of his boneyard, it is cleaning up well. 

Loose: Not tightly bound. Subject to motion.
Lose: What happens when you are spell check dependent.

 

1975 Malaga. It is rusty but runs. Just like me. 

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